Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Nine new dissemination trainers have successfully completed a five days training at the Solomon Islands Red Cross head quarters in Honiara on Friday last week (March 7, 2008).

According to Niniu Oligao (SIRC Dissemination officer) the training was aimed at equipping the dissemination volunteer trainers with dissemination tools which in return will train and give awareness to both external and internal audiences (volunteers, Branch Governing Board, and members) on the Humanitarian Values and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Fundamental Principles.

The trainers learnt about the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement Fundamental Principles, International Humanitarian Law, and how safer the Red Cross could access to affected people during armed conflict, whether to apply First Aid, relief distributions, or giving medical attention to those who no longer or not fighting but suffering.

“The trainers were privilege to have various presentations from SIRC personnel who under went diverse experiences in disaster responses”, he said.

In regard to dissemination materials, the participants discussed with him on appropriate materials like posters and brochures which could still be used in their talks in the absence of electricity.

On the fourth day they had a fieldtrip to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) studio to record a 15 minutes programme for SI Red Cross.

The challenge he left with the new trainers now is their turn to work closely with him through a network had been formulated during the training to effectively spread information of the red cross by speaking on behalf of those silently suffering that make sure their physical and psych-emotional integrity is respected during disasters.

All the participants assured their confidence to do their new task when they admitted their gratitude at the end of the workshop.

Niniu thanked the Australian Red Cross for financially supporting that Trainers training. He said such help was really a noble gift to humanity to discourage their suffering.

TARD is a neutral, non-profit, "youth initiated, youth led" volunteer group established in August 2005 by To'abaita (a geographical region in Solomon Islands) university students studying in Fiji, with a goal to bridge community development barriers and pursue potential rural community initiatives and aspirations for North Malaita Constituency, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

We are also committed to promote community awareness on important issues including gender equality, human rights, health and sanitation, education, cultural preservation, and good governance in the North Malaita Constituency. TARD membership currently comprises more than fifty scholars and young working elites in several countries throughout the Pacific. We hope to achieve our vision by working in partnership with the national government, provincial leaders, rural communities, and genuine donors.

Our vision for North Malaita and the Solomon Islands is that of a safe and sustainable society, whose people are healthy and prosperous.

Our mission is working for a better tomorrow. This can be achieved by helping rural communities make informed decisions and implement potential community development initiatives that will benefit them.

2. TARD Partial Bursary Scheme for North Malaita community high school & Vocational students [At least 50 scholarships each worth SBD$200 to start in sem 2 2008 until sem 1 2009]-Supported by generous donation